The 30-year-old former England front-man has made just two substitute appearances for City this term and was tipped to make his Eastlands exit during the current transfer window.

This week alone, Millwall were strongly linked with the man Kevin Keegan splashed £6million on three years ago, while Portsmouth and Norwich have also been touted as possible destinations for Fowler, whose £35,000-a-week contract expires in the summer.

But Pearce has never lost faith in the striker's predatory instincts and after handing Fowler his first start of the season was rewarded with the forward's first three-timer in over four years, the entire trio coming in 16 second-half minutes after City had trailed at the break.

"I have never thought about selling Robbie Fowler," said Pearce.

"I am acutely aware he has had a lack of first-team football but our squad is too light to consider letting anyone go and that includes Robbie.

Worker

"A lot of people think he is workshy but that is simply not the case. He is one of the hardest workers at this football club and he has never given up."

Yet the City chief insists he has spent more time talking to Fowler than virtually any other player at the club in an attempt to lift his spirits.

"Robbie has been a little bit disappointed and I can understand that, if I was in his position I would feel exactly the same," said Pearce.

"There are various reasons why he hasn't been playing. He was injured for a while, then you have to look at the form of Andy and Darius, plus the emergence of Bradley and, to some extent, Antoine.

"It has been difficult for him to break through but I have told him to keep his head down, work hard in training and take his chance. He can't do much more than scoring three."

Fowler had not even scored for nine months, during which time his only noteworthy act was missing the injury-time penalty against Middlesbrough on the last day of last season that cost City a place in the UEFA Cup.

"We will talk about Robbie's future later in the season," said Pearce. "But he needs to break back into the first team on a regular basis."

Pearce was grateful for Fowler's contribution given Scunthorpe led at the break through Andy Keogh's early effort.

Do you think Fowler did enough to claim a regular first-team place? Have your say.